March 6th, 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

EVEN JESUS’ CLOTHES WERE TAKEN FROM HIM.

Matthew 27:35 “When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots.”  

The Psalmist wrote, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” (Psalm 22:18) Indeed, the soldiers “divided up His clothes by casting lots.” Matthew’s words in today’s devotional verse indicate these Old Testament words of prophecy were fulfilled. In this seemingly normal behavior of the guards gambling to determine which of them would acquire Jesus’ clothes the reliability of Scripture and God directing the smallest of details of His plan to redeem you and all the world from sin, Satan and eternal death is revealed.  

The writer to the Hebrews exhorts, “ . . . And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” 

Jesus was stripped of His dignity and literally of the clothing that covered His body. He was totally exposed! Yet, as the writer to the Hebrews wrote, He “scorned even this shame.” He owned nothing but the clothes on His back and even those were taken from Him. He gave His all for your salvation.   

Prayer: Thank You Jesus! Amen. 

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!
‘Tis the Christ, by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, ‘tis He, ‘tis He!
“Tis the long expected Prophet,
David’s Son, yet David’s Lord;
Proofs I see sufficient of it:
 ‘Tis the true and faithful Word. 

Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning,
Was there ever grief like His?  
Friends through fear His cause disowning,
Foes insulting His distress;
Many hands were raised to would Him,
None would intervene to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced
Him Was the stroke that justice gave. 

Ye who think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed,
See who bears the awful load;
'Tis the Word, the Lord’s anointed,
Son of man and Son of God. 

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost;
Christ, the Rock of our salvation,
Is the name of which we boast;
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded,
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.  

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted // LSB 451

Public Domain